Wireless Minneapolis

The City of Minneapolis is unique because we have an outdoor wireless network that covers nearly 100% of our City. The wireless network allows the City to serve its residents and businesses and provides a level of convenience and connectedness to the people who live, work and play in Minneapolis.

Free Wireless Hotspots

Minneapolis residents and visitors can access the Internet for free from 117 "Wireless Minneapolis" hotspots throughout the city.

These hotspots are one of the many community benefits that resulted from the City of Minneapolis’ contract with USI Wireless, the company that built the wireless network blanketing the entire city.

Look for these signs which are installed, or look for the wireless network connection called "USIW Free Wifi" with your computer or wireless Internet capable-device. A credit card number is required to log in for security purposes but there is no charge.

The Civic Garden

The Civic Garden provides free Internet access to useful, public sector information. No commercial or partisan websites are included, and many of the websites reflect city, county, and state resources. All Civic Garden sites are family-friendly. There is a collection of specific websites published in Hmong, Somali and Spanish. Try the Civic Garden by connecting to the wireless networks called “USI Wireless” or “City of Minneapolis Public WiFi “

Free Wireless Community Accounts

Community sites in Minneapolis are eligible for free accounts if they provide free computer access to the public, provide technology literacy training, and/or provide technology support to underserved communities. Contact: Elise Ebhardt, 612-673-2026.

Public Computer Access: Find a Community Technology Center in your area using the Technology Literacy Collaborative website. Many locations in Minneapolis offer free use of computers, Internet, software, and often provide help and instruction. Sites include public libraries, some government agencies, and many community-based organizations. Programs and hours vary, so contact the site for details!

About Wireless Minneapolis

In 2006, the City of Minneapolis signed a 10-year contract with USI Wireless of Minnetonka to provide Minneapolis with cutting-edge broadband technology. USI Wireless is a private company that will own, build and manage the wireless network, making Minneapolis one of the first large cities in the United States to go wireless.

The wireless network covers all 59 square miles of Minneapolis providing residents, businesses and visitors with wireless broadband access anywhere in the City. The network will allow the City to deliver services more efficiently and effectively than ever before. The wireless contract also includes benefits to the community that go far beyond what any other city in the country has negotiated.

A portion of the wireless network was already completed on Aug. 1, 2007, when the I-35W Bridge collapsed, which allowed the City to use the network as part of its emergency response effort. The City of Minneapolis is grateful to USI Wireless for their rapid response and support. This effort and other Wireless Minneapolis initiatives received international recognition when the City was awarded Wireless Internet Institutes (W2i) Digital Cities Best Practices Award for e-Government Applications in December, 2007.

QUICK LINKS

Accessibility: For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats, contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.